College Funding Options and Ways Students Can Save Money

Besides medical bills, college is one of the most expensive things that’ll leave Americans in debt for years. So we here at Stacks Magazine will not only give you ways to earn money but also ways to save money as well.

Option #1:  Scholarships

There are thousands of scholarships and grants that each and every one of you are qualified for. Despite your class, major, your race or your origin, someone somewhere as been through what you’re going through and in return a scholarship was created to keep you from making the same mistakes and going through the same issues as them. To view these scholarships and determine which you qualify for  visit www.scholarships.com.

Minorities that are enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities, most frequently known as HBCUs, can apply for those scholarships at the website listed above as well as Tom Joyner scholarships. The Tom Joyner Foundation was “founded in 1998 by nationally syndicated radio personality, Tom Joyner, the Tom Joyner Foundation supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities with scholarships, endowments, and capacity building enhancements.”  These were designed to keep black men and women in school no matter their income level, and put them in the work force. As many already know, Tom Joyner has dedicated a lot of time and money to this.

Option #2: Daily Meals

When students are far from home, they still need money for food and survival. Most students first idea is to go to the local diner or campus restaurant. That is NOT the way to go. All schools will trick you into buying a campus diner card for an obscene amount of money – but then your stuck eating the same foods for about four months – and there are those schools who like to limit the amount of times you can come per week. It’s easier and cheaper to get a membership with a store such as Sam’s Club and buy food in large (maybe with your roommates).

Option #3: Textbooks

Another issue is textbooks…you know those big books, that’s bad for our backs and only get used maybe once a year??  Don’t invest in the bookstore for those books. They’ll be at least ten dollars cheaper at local or online book store. If you need ten books, your already saving 100 dollars. Many students also have electronic devices which they can get a digital copy of the book for half the price. My personal favorite is rentals. These are about 75 percent cheaper than regular priced books, just make sure you turn it in on time to avoid extra charges.

There are several other things you can do to save while your in college to save money and prepare for your future. From eliminating meal plans, to decreasing cellphone bills and even getting a part time job, just invest in you options and use your time wisely.